Sindh Governor Muhammad Nehal Hashmi delivered a blunt and wide-ranging message on patriotism, responsible journalism and youth empowerment while addressing a press conference at the Governor House on Sunday.
Declaring that Pakistan was built through the relentless struggle of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices of the nation’s founding leadership, the governor said the freedom enjoyed by citizens today carried with it a profound responsibility to respect the country and safeguard its resources.
He stressed that as the governor, it was his duty to represent every district, village and citizen of Sindh, adding that he prayed for the strength to fulfil his responsibilities with honesty, integrity and justice.
Taking a firm stance on the role of the media, Hashmi said genuine journalism was based on research rather than rumours. While criticism directed at him personally was acceptable, he warned that negative remarks targeting Pakistan, Sindh or Karachi would not be tolerated.
The governor also paid tribute to the development vision of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, citing major initiatives such as the country’s motorway network, development of Gwadar Port and the Thar Coalfield project as examples of long-term national planning.
According to him, Nawaz’s guiding philosophy had always been “First Pakistan, then the people, and lastly the party.” Hashmi further announced that under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, young people in Sindh would receive expanded opportunities in education, employment and professional training.
“Pakistan’s journey of development will continue to move forward,” he said. In a gesture aimed at strengthening public engagement, the governor also announced that the Governor House would host public Sehri and Iftar arrangements from the following day, emphasising that the historic building was not his personal residence but a public institution entrusted to him as a custodian.
He also lauded the services of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, describing him as a member of a hardworking and patriotic family, and praised the role of the Pakistan Navy in protecting the country’s maritime frontiers and commercial lifelines.
Earlier, during a separate meeting at the Governor House, Hashmi met the Sindh core team of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme led by coordinator Dr Fahad Shafiq. Discussions focused on youth welfare, education, skills development and expanding opportunities for young people across the province.
The governor said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had broadened the scope of several youth-focused initiatives inspired by the vision of Nawaz Sharif, including the nationwide expansion of the laptop scheme and other empowerment programmes.
During the meeting, Dr Shafiq briefed the governor that the programme focused on four major sectors — education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, youth engagement in social and national activities, and environmental protection.
He added that through the Digital Youth Hub platform, young people were being provided access to scholarships, job opportunities, start-up guidance, leadership programmes and community initiatives so that they could realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.
